Capstone Internships

2023-2024 Internship Sites: Syner-G BioPharma Group, AstraZeneca, Medical Device Innovation Consortium, Edvotek, Qiagen, MedStar Health Research Institute, Parexel, Hibiscus Bioventures, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Divergene, NovaKera, Amelia Technologies, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, OriGene, Georgetown University Medical Center, Cancer Fund Impact Investments, CSSi Life Sciences, Cartesian Therapeutics, GU Office of Technology Commercialization, Exactech, MaxCyte, Cytel, Keystone Capital, United Consulting Hub Inc.

Students in the M.S. in Biotechnology program complete the 4-credit Biotechnology Capstone Internship course (BIOT 7950). In this capstone course, students work to pursue defined objectives at companies in the biotechnology industry, at government agencies, or at other institutions in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Internship projects can be in basic research, business operations, industrial and biomedical sciences, law or finance.

We are affiliated with several national agencies and laboratories, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many biotechnology companies in the area participate in mentoring our students.


Intern Success Stories

Read about our students’ internship accomplishments and how their experiences have helped them realize their potential.

National Laboratories

After completing the capstone, top students may also be eligible to intern at Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research or Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Biotech Hub

The Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and its I-270 Biotech Corridor represent one of the largest life sciences clusters in the United States, with 500+ biotech firms, 2,000 life science companies, federal laboratories, federal agencies, world-renowned medical universities and centers, and plenty of funding and resources. It currently ranks No. 6 based on talent, funding availability and real estate.1 The region is striving to be among the top 3 life science hubs in the country by 2023. It leads the world in adult stem cell production and vaccine development.2

Among the area’s many companies are:

  • MedImmune/AstraZeneca
  • GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Global Manufacturing and Supply
  • GSK Global Vaccines US R&D Center
  • Sucampo Pharmaceuticals
  • Abbott
  • Westat
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
  • University of Maryland Baltimore’s BioPark

1. Report from JLL, a provider of agency leasing, consulting, property and investment management services for life sciences, retail and banking sectors
2. From the Maryland Department of Commerce

Frequently Asked Questions

Students in the M.S. in Biotechnology program are eligible to enroll in the course (BIOT 7950) after they have completed 15 credits and maintained a 3.0 grade point average.

Students are encouraged to network to find internships on their own, and are also given leads by the course director. The course director will meet with you to learn more about your background and goals in order to help you find the internship that will best meet your professional needs.

Support in updating your resume/CV, writing cover letters and practicing for interviews is provided by the Biomedical Graduate Education Office of Career Strategy & Professional Development.

Generally, most second-semester students’ schedules allow them to spend two full days at the internship site. You may be able to work a half-day remotely, subject to your mentor’s approval.

Internships are unpaid and last 13-14 weeks at 20 hours per week. Students receive 4 credits and provide deliverables which are used to determine final grades.

  • Students must submit the following: a) objectives form; b) midterm progress report and timesheet; c) abstract; d) poster; e) final paper; f) final timesheet; and g) mentor’s evaluation.
  • Students must present the project in a judged poster presentation.
  • The final grade depends on the mentor’s evaluation, timely submission of all items due, and the quality of the paper and poster presentation.

Alumni Accomplishments

See where our students go to work after graduating.